The London Liberal Democrats have today reacted angrily to news that the Metropolitan Police Service has confirmed its final plan for police station front counters, reducing 24/7 public access across the capital to just two stations.
The decision has been slammed as a betrayal of the Mayor of London’s clear manifesto pledge and a dangerous abandonment of London’s most vulnerable citizens, particularly as the roll-out has proceeded without a robust public consultation or a full Equalities Impact Assessment being made public – or even conducted.
The final model sees 24/7 access available only at Lewisham and Charing Cross, a disastrous fall from the Mayor’s promise of one in every one of London’s 32 boroughs, and a significant reduction from the eight sites previously proposed by the Met.
Assembly Member Cllr Gareth Roberts AM said:
“This final decision is an outrageous betrayal of a central manifesto promise. The Mayor of London stood for re-election pledging a 24/7 police front counter in every borough. Today, that promise has been slashed to just two across the entire city, meaning access to policing will effectively shut down after dark across the capital.
“It is simply unacceptable that the police are rolling all of this out without a proper public consultation or a full Equalities Impact Assessment. Front counters are a vital lifeline for more than just reporting crimes – they are places of sanctuary, handling lost and found property, and facilitating urgent contact with officers. This is a cruel cut that will hit the most vulnerable hardest: the elderly, people who are digitally excluded, those who have lost their phones, and victims fleeing abuse and violence who rely on being able to walk in for help. To dismantle this network without full transparency is an insult to Londoners.
On the decision to retain Charing Cross, he added:
“The decision to make Charing Cross – a station recently exposed by a BBC Panorama investigation for a deeply toxic culture of racism, misogyny, and homophobia -one of just two places Londoners can report crime overnight is utterly reckless. How can the Met possibly expect the most vulnerable Londoners to feel safe walking into that station after dark?
“This plan is dangerous, discriminatory and devastating for public confidence. We are demanding the Mayor and the Commissioner call an immediate halt on all plans, while they undertake a proper process of engagement with local communities, particularly the most vulnerable.”
